The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito Control District issued the following advisory to let residents know what they can do about the Asian Tiger Mosquito. The Asian tiger mosquito can be identified by its unique size, color, and feeding habits. The mosquito is approximately ¼-inch long and has distinctive black and white stripes across its body and legs.

This is an aggressive day-time biting mosquito. While there is currently no indication that these mosquitoes are infected, they are capable of transmitting the viruses that cause dengue, chikungunya, and encephalitis.
There is no vaccine or cure for dengue or chikungunya. These illnesses are typically severe and debilitating, causing high fever and severe joint and muscle pains lasting a week to several months. Infected travelers returning to areas where Asian tiger mosquitoes are present can infect local mosquitoes increasing the risk of localized disease transmission. Both of these diseases spread rapidly making them significant public health concerns.
Follow these steps to protect yourself from the Asian tiger mosquito:
* CALL AND REPORT IMMEDIATELY any small, black and white mosquitoes, or if you are being bitten by mosquitoes during the day!
* Properly discard any containers, recyclables, cans, buckets, old tires, and trash around the home.
* Remove any water saucers from beneath potted plants and drill drain holes in all decorative flower pots.
* Do not store water in uncovered buckets or rain barrels. Ensure rain barrels are completely sealed to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
* Empty bird baths and small fountains completely or clean them thoroughly every 3 days. Request FREE mosquitofish for ponds or larger fountains.
Residents in the Cities of Arcadia and El Monte are encouraged to call the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District at (626) 814-9466. Residents of South El Monte are asked to call the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District at (562) 944-9656. For more information, visit www.sgvmosquito.org or www.glacvcd.org.
The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District and the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District are public health agencies dedicated to the control of mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases.
Source: Press release from San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.